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Del Bianco T, Lockwood Estrin G, Tillmann J, Oakley BF, Crawley D, San José Cáceres A, Hayward H, Potter M, Mackay W, Smit P, du Plessis C, Brink L, Springer P, Odendaal H, Charman T, Banaschewski T, Baron-Cohen S, Bölte S, Johnson M, Murphy D, Buitelaar J, Loth E, Jones EJ. Mapping the link between socio-economic factors, autistic traits and mental health across different settings. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2024; 28:1280-1296. [PMID: 37822256 DOI: 10.1177/13623613231200297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT Autistic individuals are more likely than non-autistic individuals to experience a mental health condition in their lifetime, and this includes externalising and internalising symptoms. We know very little about how different environments and family conditions impact these symptoms for autistic individuals. Improving our understanding of these relationships is important so that we can identify individuals who may be in greater need of support. In this article, we seek to improve our understanding of how environmental and family conditions impact externalising and internalising symptoms in autistic and non-autistic people. To do this, we conducted analyses with two cohorts in very different settings - in Europe and South Africa - to ensure our findings are globally representative. We used advanced statistical methods to establish environmental and family conditions that were similar to each other, and which could be combined into specific 'factors'. We found that four similar 'factors' could be identified in the two cohorts. These were distinguished by personal characteristics and environmental conditions of individuals, and were named Person Characteristics, Family System, Parental and Material Resources. Interestingly, just 'Family System' was associated with internalising and externalising symptoms, and this was the same in both cohorts. We also found that having high traits of autism impacted this relationship between Family System and mental health conditions with opposite directions in the two settings. These results show that characteristics in the Family System are associated with internalising and externalising symptoms, and autistic persons are particularly impacted, reinforcing the notion that family stressors are important to consider when implementing policy and practice related to improving the mental health of autistic people.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Julian Tillmann
- King's College London, UK
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Switzerland
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Sanchez M, Bullen JC, Zajic MC, McIntyre N, Mundy P. Behavioral gender differences in school-age children with autism. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2024; 33:1201-1207. [PMID: 35809134 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-022-02036-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
This study examined differences in internalizing and externalizing behaviors between school-aged boys and girls diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Eighty-nine children between the ages of 8 and 16 years participated in this study: 17 girls (M = 11.5 years, SD = 2.3) and 72 boys (M = 11.3 years, SD = 2.2). Participants were matched on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition and Full-Scale IQ (FSIQ > 64). The results indicated that, girls had higher reported instances of Bullying, less Anger Control, and poorer Emotional Self-Control than boys on the Behavior Assessment System for Children, Second Edition. Groups did not differ on subscales of the Social Communication Scale. While evidence of increased externalizing behaviors is less common in girls, there is evidence supporting these differing behaviors that warrant further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Sanchez
- School of Education, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer C Bullen
- Department of Human Ecology, Human Development, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
| | - Matthew C Zajic
- Intellectual Disability/Autism Program, Health and Behavior Studies Department, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nancy McIntyre
- School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, College of Health Professions and Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Peter Mundy
- School of Education, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
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Huang X, Gao L, Xiao J, Li L, Shan X, Chen H, Chai X, Duan X. Family Environment Modulates Linkage of Transdiagnostic Psychiatric Phenotypes and Dissociable Brain Features in the Developing Brain. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2024:S2451-9022(24)00081-8. [PMID: 38537777 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2024.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Family environment has long been known for shaping brain function and psychiatric phenotypes, especially during childhood and adolescence. Accumulating neuroimaging evidence suggests that across different psychiatric disorders, common phenotypes may share common neural bases, indicating latent brain-behavior relationships beyond diagnostic categories. However, the influence of family environment on the brain-behavior relationship from a transdiagnostic perspective remains unknown. METHODS We included a community-based sample of 699 participants (ages 5-22 years) and applied partial least squares regression analysis to determine latent brain-behavior relationships from whole-brain functional connectivity and comprehensive phenotypic measures. Comparisons were made between diagnostic and nondiagnostic groups to help interpret the latent brain-behavior relationships. A moderation model was introduced to examine the potential moderating role of family factors in the estimated brain-behavior associations. RESULTS Four significant latent brain-behavior pairs were identified that reflected the relationship of dissociable brain network and general behavioral problems, cognitive and language skills, externalizing problems, and social dysfunction, respectively. The group comparisons exhibited interpretable variations across different diagnostic groups. A warm family environment was found to moderate the brain-behavior relationship of core symptoms in internalizing disorders. However, in neurodevelopmental disorders, family factors were not found to moderate the brain-behavior relationship of core symptoms, but they were found to affect the brain-behavior relationship in other domains. CONCLUSIONS Our findings leveraged a transdiagnostic analysis to investigate the moderating effects of family factors on brain-behavior associations, emphasizing the different roles that family factors play during this developmental period across distinct diagnostic groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyue Huang
- Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Leying Gao
- Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jinming Xiao
- Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Lei Li
- Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaolong Shan
- Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Huafu Chen
- Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaoqian Chai
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Xujun Duan
- Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
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Mahjoob M, Cardy R, Penner M, Anagnostou E, Andrade BF, Crosbie J, Kelley E, Ayub M, Ayub M, Brian J, Iaboni A, Schachar R, Georgiades S, Nicolson R, Jones J, Kushki A. Predictors of health-related quality of life for children with neurodevelopmental conditions. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6377. [PMID: 38493236 PMCID: PMC10944519 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56821-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental conditions can be associated with decreased health-related quality of life; however, the predictors of these outcomes remain largely unknown. We characterized the predictors of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a sample of neurodiverse children and youth. We used a cross-sectional subsample from the Province of Ontario Neurodevelopmental Disorders Network (POND) consisting of those children and young people in the POND dataset with complete study data (total n = 615; 31% female; age: 11.28 years ± 2.84 years). Using a structural equation model, we investigated the effects of demographics (age, sex, socioeconomic status), core features (Social Communication Questionnaire, Toronto Obsessive Compulsive Scale, Strengths and Weaknesses of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-symptoms and Normal Behavior), co-occurring symptoms (Child Behaviour Checklist), and adaptive functioning (Adaptive Behaviour Assessment System) on HRQoL (KINDL). A total of 615 participants had complete data for this study (autism = 135, ADHD = 273, subthreshold ADHD = 7, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) = 38, sub-threshold OCD = 1, neurotypical = 161). Of these participants, 190 (31%) identified as female, and 425 (69%) identified as male. The mean age was 11.28 years ± 2.84 years. Health-related quality of life was negatively associated with co-occurring symptoms (B = - 0.6, SE = 0.20, CI (- 0.95, - 0.19), p = 0.004)) and age (B = - 0.1, SE = 0.04, CI (- 0.19, - 0.01), p = 0.037). Fewer co-occurring symptoms were associated with higher socioeconomic status (B = - 0.5, SE = - 0.05, CI (- 0.58, - 0.37), p < 0.001). This study used a cross-sectional design. Given that one's experiences, needs, supports, and environment and thus HrQoL may change significantly over the lifespan and a longitudinal analysis of predictors is needed to capture these changes. Future studies with more diverse participant groups are needed. These results demonstrate the importance of behavioural and sociodemographic characteristics on health-related quality of life across neurodevelopmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Mahjoob
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Robyn Cardy
- Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, 150 Kilgour Road, Toronto, ON, M4G 1R8, Canada
| | - Melanie Penner
- Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, 150 Kilgour Road, Toronto, ON, M4G 1R8, Canada
| | - Evdokia Anagnostou
- Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, 150 Kilgour Road, Toronto, ON, M4G 1R8, Canada
| | - Brendan F Andrade
- Department of Psychiatry, Margaret and Wallace McCain Centre for Child Youth and Family Mental Health, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jennifer Crosbie
- Department of Psychiatry, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Muhammad Ayub
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
| | - Muhammad Ayub
- Department of Psychology, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
| | - Jessica Brian
- Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, 150 Kilgour Road, Toronto, ON, M4G 1R8, Canada
| | - Alana Iaboni
- Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, 150 Kilgour Road, Toronto, ON, M4G 1R8, Canada
| | - Russell Schachar
- Department of Psychiatry, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Toronto, Canada
| | - Stelios Georgiades
- Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Rob Nicolson
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Canada
| | - Jessica Jones
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
| | - Azadeh Kushki
- Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, 150 Kilgour Road, Toronto, ON, M4G 1R8, Canada.
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Martino DC, Bertollo JR, Scarpa A. Service Acquisition for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Rural Southwest Virginia: The Role of Caregiver Psychoeducation. J Autism Dev Disord 2024:10.1007/s10803-024-06305-6. [PMID: 38489106 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-024-06305-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Evidence-based intervention can significantly improve the trajectory of symptoms and overall outcomes for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), especially when implemented at an early age. However, families residing in rural communities experience barriers to accessing ASD-related services. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess how the provision of accessible caregiver psychoeducation related to new service acquisition for children recently diagnosed with ASD in rural Southwest Virginia. METHODS Psychoeducation was delivered either live by a clinician (Live PE, n = 13 caregivers) or via paper materials (Paper PE, n = 10 caregivers) and included content on ASD epidemiology and symptoms, risk factors, evidence-based interventions, and navigating service systems. Survey data were collected from caregivers of 20 children to measure new service acquisition within six months following psychoeducation. RESULTS Results indicated that 81.8% of children whose caregivers received Live PE obtained at least one new service within six months, compared to 55.6% of those whose caregivers received Paper PE. An independent samples t-test showed a significant difference in the number of new services obtained between groups, such that the Live PE group received over 2.5 times as many services as the Paper PE group. CONCLUSION Results suggest that psychoeducation, particularly delivered by a clinician, positively impacted service acquisition, and emphasize the clinical importance of personalized, accessible ASD psychoeducation for rural families. Future implications are discussed, including recommendations to evaluate the role of psychoeducation on service acquisition in larger samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele C Martino
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
- Virginia Tech Autism Clinic & Center for Autism Research, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
| | - Jennifer R Bertollo
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
- Virginia Tech Autism Clinic & Center for Autism Research, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Angela Scarpa
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
- Virginia Tech Autism Clinic & Center for Autism Research, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
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Piro-Gambetti B, Greenlee J, Bolt D, Papp LM, Hartley SL. Parent-couple satisfaction, parent depression, and child mental health in families with autistic children. Front Psychiatry 2024; 14:1306456. [PMID: 38274421 PMCID: PMC10808708 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1306456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Within two-parent households, the parent-couple subsystem (marital or romantic partner relationship) is posited to shape the mental health of both parents and children. Autistic children and their parents have an elevated-risk for mental health problems. The present study longitudinally examined the mediating role of the quality of the parent-couple relationship in time-ordered pathways between changes in the mental health problems of autistic children and in parent depression symptoms at a within-family level. Methodology Using four time points of data collected on 188 families of autistic children (aged 5-12 years) across 3 years, the bidirectional associations between parent-couple relationship satisfaction, parent depressive symptoms, and child internalizing and externalizing mental health problems were investigated. Two multi-group (grouped by parent gender) complete longitudinal mediation models in structural equation modeling using Mplus software were conducted. Results Parent-couple relationship satisfaction mediated: (1) the association between higher parent depressive symptoms and higher child internalizing mental health problems 12 months later for both mothers and fathers, and (2) the association between higher child externalizing mental health problems and higher father depression symptoms 12 months later. Father depression symptoms mediated a pathway from lower parent-couple satisfaction to higher child internalizing mental health problems 12 months later, and mother depression symptoms mediated the pathway from higher child externalizing mental health problems to lower parent-couple satisfaction 12 months later. Conclusion Findings highlight the bidirectional and complex ways that parent and child mental health and the quality of the parent-couple relationship are entwined across time in families of autistic children. Family-wide interventions that address the needs of multiple family members and family systems are best suited to improve the mental health of parents and autistic children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianna Piro-Gambetti
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- School of Human Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Jessica Greenlee
- School of Psychology, Lafayette College, Easton, PA, United States
| | - Daniel Bolt
- School of Educational Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Lauren M. Papp
- School of Human Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Sigan L. Hartley
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- School of Human Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
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Montenegro MC, Ramírez AC, Hernandez Rodriguez J, Villalobos BT, Garrido G, Amigo C, Valdez D, Barrios N, Cukier S, Rattazzi A, Rosoli A, García R, Paula CS, Liz GP, Montiel-Nava C. Where I am from matters: factors influencing behavioral and emotional changes in autistic individuals during COVID-19 in Latin America. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1283326. [PMID: 38188048 PMCID: PMC10770844 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1283326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic brought an increased incidence of disease and mortality in the world at large, making it a particularly salient and stressful life event. For those individuals residing in Latin America, the pandemic was met with fragmented healthcare systems, economic downturn, and sociopolitical crisis which puts autistic individuals at risk for more detrimental outcomes. Behavioral and emotional challenges experienced by autistic individuals at the beginning of the pandemic could later develop into more severe symptomatology as the pandemic progresses. The present study aimed to explore changes in dysregulated (overt and internalizing) behaviors and preoccupation with getting sick during the COVID-19 pandemic among autistic children in 7 Latin American countries. Method Sample consisted of 1,743 caregivers, residing in: Argentina (n = 677, 38.8%) Brazil (n = 156, 9%), Chile (n = 251, 14.4%), Dominican Republic (n = 171, 9.8%), Mexico (n = 126, 7.2%), Uruguay (n = 259, 14.9%) and Venezuela (n = 103, 5.9%). The majority of caregivers who completed the questionnaire were mothers (85.1%), and most had a male autistic child (81.6%). A series of independent sample t-tests were conducted to assess country differences in dysregulated behaviors and preoccupation with getting sick. Linear regressions were conducted to identify which demographic characteristics and micro-level contextual factors predicted dysregulated overt behaviors and psychological changes. Results Contextual factors, such as country of residence, were related to preoccupation with getting sick and dysregulated behavior. Particularly, residing in Mexico and Brazil were related to changes in preoccupation with getting sick and mental health concerns. Coexistence predicted dysregulated internalizing behaviors, while being older significantly predicted preoccupation with getting sick. Increased screen time only predicted anxiety. Conclusion Our findings highlight differences and predictions of behavioral challenges and psychological changes based on certain contextual factors and individual characteristics while experiencing severe life stressors such as a worldwide pandemic. This knowledge could help inform policies and decrees aimed at protecting those most vulnerable due to their increased difficulty adapting to change.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Cecilia Montenegro
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX, United States
| | - Ana C. Ramírez
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX, United States
| | | | - Bianca T. Villalobos
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX, United States
| | | | | | - Daniel Valdez
- Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales (FLACSO), Ayacucho, Argentina
| | - Natalia Barrios
- Programa Argentino para Niños, Adolescentes y Adultos con Condiciones del Espectro Autista (PANAACEA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sebastián Cukier
- Programa Argentino para Niños, Adolescentes y Adultos con Condiciones del Espectro Autista (PANAACEA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alexia Rattazzi
- Programa Argentino para Niños, Adolescentes y Adultos con Condiciones del Espectro Autista (PANAACEA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Analía Rosoli
- Organización Estados Iberoamericanos para la Educación, la Ciencia y la Cultura (OEI), Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
| | | | - Cristiane S. Paula
- Developmental Disorder Program, Mackenzie Presbyterian University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Georgina Pérez Liz
- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Cecilia Montiel-Nava
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX, United States
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Brown C, Lerner M, Stadheim J, Kerns C, Moskowitz L, Cohn E, Drahota A, Soorya L, Wainer A. Provider Self-Reported Use and Usefulness of Intervention Strategies for Externalizing Behaviors in Youths with ASD. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL FOR THE SOCIETY OF CLINICAL CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGY, AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, DIVISION 53 2023:1-15. [PMID: 37706638 PMCID: PMC10937329 DOI: 10.1080/15374416.2023.2251163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine predictors of implementation and perceived usefulness of four empirically supported strategies for treating externalizing behavior in youths with ASD. METHOD Participants were 557 providers in the United States with experience treating externalizing behavior in youths with ASD. Generalized estimating equations were used to determine whether self-reported use and usefulness of four empirically supported intervention strategies (functional communication training, functional behavior analysis, visual tools/supports, token economy) were predicted by key provider characteristics: professional discipline, experience, and practice specialization (across three indices) in ASD. Post-hoc contrasts were performed to identify provider groups reporting the greatest use and usefulness of the four strategies. RESULTS Strategies were most often used by providers with behavioral backgrounds, though perceived usefulness of strategies varied by providers' professional discipline. Compared to providers with more than 10 years of experience, less experienced providers endorsed the highest average use and usefulness of almost all strategies. Regarding ASD practice specialization, a lower volume of ASD cases, treating fewer youths with ASD over a 5-year period, and having a higher proportion of practice time working with youths with ASD reported were associated with greater use and usefulness of the strategies. CONCLUSIONS Empirically supported strategies are widely used by and perceived as useful by providers who treat youths with ASD and co-occurring externalizing behaviors. Use and usefulness varies based on provider discipline, experience, and ASD practice specialization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jenna Stadheim
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
| | - Connor Kerns
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia
| | | | - Elizabeth Cohn
- Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing, City University of New York
| | - Amy Drahota
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University
| | - Latha Soorya
- Department of Psychiatry, Rush University Medical Center
| | - Allison Wainer
- Department of Psychiatry, Rush University Medical Center
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Lupi E, Tucci F, Casula L, Novello RL, Guerrera S, Vicari S, Valeri G. Early and stable difficulties of everyday executive functions predict autism symptoms and emotional/behavioral problems in preschool age children with autism: a 2-year longitudinal study. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1092164. [PMID: 37583604 PMCID: PMC10425204 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1092164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Longitudinal studies of autistic children show that autism symptoms and emotional/behavioral problems vary and change over time. However, the factors that affect this variability remain far from certain and very little is known about what take place in the preschool period and the role of executive functions (EF). Methods Here, we test the influence of stable difficulties in everyday executive functioning (EEF) during early childhood across 2 years on autistic symptoms and emotional and behavioral problems. Twenty-nine autistic children (24 males and 5 females) were assessed twice within the space of 2 years. At baseline (M = 29 months, SD =5.6 months), participants were assessed for EEF, cognitive development, autistic symptoms, and emotional/behavioral problems. At follow-up, we repeated the same assessment except for cognitive development. Results The group with stable difficulties (across 2 years) in EEF during early childhood showed a worsening in the severity of autistic symptoms and emotional and behavioral problems compared with children without EEF difficulties (p < 0.05), and these effects cannot be attributable to cognitive development. Discussion Our results suggest that early and stable EEF plays the role of a modifier by interacting with the core domains of autism, in particular with the social affect domain (SA CSS), influencing social cognition and exacerbating or lessening symptom expression and emotional behavioral problems. These short-term longitudinal and preliminary findings underscore the importance of EEF as necessary target for early intervention in children with autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Lupi
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Tucci
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Casula
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Lucia Novello
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Guerrera
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Vicari
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Valeri
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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10
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Martin E, Schoeler T, Pingault JB, Barkhuizen W. Understanding the relationship between loneliness, substance use traits and psychiatric disorders: A genetically informed approach. Psychiatry Res 2023; 325:115218. [PMID: 37146462 PMCID: PMC10636586 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Loneliness is a common, yet distressing experience associated with adverse outcomes including substance use problems and psychiatric disorders. To what extent these associations reflect genetic correlations and causal relationships is currently unclear. We applied Genomic Structural Equation Modelling (GSEM) to dissect the genetic architecture between loneliness and psychiatric-behavioural traits. Included were summary statistics from 12 genome-wide association analyses, including loneliness and 11 psychiatric phenotypes (range N: 9,537 - 807,553). We first modelled latent genetic factors amongst the psychiatric traits to then investigate potential causal effects between loneliness and the identified latent factors, using multivariate genome-wide association analyses and bidirectional Mendelian randomization. We identified three latent genetic factors, encompassing neurodevelopmental/mood conditions, substance use traits and disorders with psychotic features. GSEM provided evidence of a unique association between loneliness and the neurodevelopmental/mood conditions latent factor. Mendelian randomization results were suggestive of bidirectional causal effects between loneliness and the neurodevelopmental/mood conditions factor. These results imply that a genetic predisposition to loneliness may elevate the risk of neurodevelopmental/mood conditions, and vice versa. However, results may reflect the difficulty of distiguishing between loneliness and neurodevelopmental/mood conditions, which present in similar ways. We suggest, overall, the importance of addressing loneliness in mental health prevention and policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Martin
- Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tabea Schoeler
- Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Department of Computational Biology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Baptiste Pingault
- Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Wikus Barkhuizen
- Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
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11
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Stankova M, Kamenski T, Ivanov I, Mihova P. Emotional and Behavioral Problems of Children with ASD-The Lessons That We Learned from the Pandemic. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:969. [PMID: 37371201 PMCID: PMC10297218 DOI: 10.3390/children10060969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
The data available for changes in the behavior and emotional state of children with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) in lockdown situations are controversial and scarce. In our research, we compare results before the first COVID-19 lockdown of 21 children with ASD and 21 typically developing children, four to five years of age with those obtained immediately after. The study attempts to answer the question of whether there are changes in the levels of emotional and behavioral problems in children with ASD after the lockdown and how these new living conditions affect some aspects of their functioning. The instruments used for data analysis are the Childhood Autism Spectrum Test (CAST); Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL); Survey on the consequences of COVID-19 on the life and development of the participants. No significant differences in the emotional and behavioral state of the participants were found, except for attention deficit/hyperactivity problems where ASD children showed lower levels after the lockdown. ASD group parents' answers to the survey pointed towards more positive consequences of staying at home. Some reported they had more time for learning together, communicating, playing, and assisting the learning process through online therapy. As negatives, the parents of ASD children reported low physical activity, increased time with electronic devices, and time spent with the same people. Caregivers of typically developing children agreed that the lockdown had only negative effects. To conclude, for children with ASD in the study, the lockdown period demonstrated that more time spent with parents in structured everyday activities is an opportunity that can lead to positive results in their behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarita Stankova
- Department of Health Care and Social Work, New Bulgarian University, 1618 Sofia, Bulgaria; (T.K.); (P.M.)
| | - Tsveta Kamenski
- Department of Health Care and Social Work, New Bulgarian University, 1618 Sofia, Bulgaria; (T.K.); (P.M.)
| | - Ivan Ivanov
- College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA;
| | - Polina Mihova
- Department of Health Care and Social Work, New Bulgarian University, 1618 Sofia, Bulgaria; (T.K.); (P.M.)
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12
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Nakua H, Hawco C, Forde NJ, Joseph M, Grillet M, Johnson D, Jacobs GR, Hill S, Voineskos A, Wheeler AL, Lai MC, Szatmari P, Georgiades S, Nicolson R, Schachar R, Crosbie J, Anagnostou E, Lerch JP, Arnold PD, Ameis SH. Systematic comparisons of different quality control approaches applied to three large pediatric neuroimaging datasets. Neuroimage 2023; 274:120119. [PMID: 37068719 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.120119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Poor quality T1-weighted brain scans systematically affect the calculation of brain measures. Removing the influence of such scans requires identifying and excluding scans with noise and artefacts through a quality control (QC) procedure. While QC is critical for brain imaging analyses, it is not yet clear whether different QC approaches lead to the exclusion of the same participants. Further, the removal of poor-quality scans may unintentionally introduce a sampling bias by excluding the subset of participants who are younger and/or feature greater clinical impairment. This study had two aims: 1) examine whether different QC approaches applied to T1-weighted scans would exclude the same participants, and 2) examine how exclusion of poor-quality scans impacts specific demographic, clinical and brain measure characteristics between excluded and included participants in three large pediatric neuroimaging samples. METHODS We used T1-weighted, resting-state fMRI, demographic and clinical data from the Province of Ontario Neurodevelopmental Disorders network (Aim 1: n=553, Aim 2: n=465), the Healthy Brain Network (Aim 1: n=1051, Aim 2: n=558), and the Philadelphia Neurodevelopmental Cohort (Aim 1: n=1087; Aim 2: n=619). Four different QC approaches were applied to T1-weighted MRI (visual QC, metric QC, automated QC, fMRI-derived QC). We used tetrachoric correlation and inter-rater reliability analyses to examine whether different QC approaches excluded the same participants. We examined differences in age, mental health symptoms, everyday/adaptive functioning, IQ and structural MRI-derived brain indices between participants that were included versus excluded following each QC approach. RESULTS Dataset-specific findings revealed mixed results with respect to overlap of QC exclusion. However, in POND and HBN, we found a moderate level of overlap between visual and automated QC approaches (rtet=0.52-0.59). Implementation of QC excluded younger participants, and tended to exclude those with lower IQ, and lower everyday/adaptive functioning scores across several approaches in a dataset-specific manner. Across nearly all datasets and QC approaches examined, excluded participants had lower estimates of cortical thickness and subcortical volume, but this effect did not differ by QC approach. CONCLUSION The results of this study provide insight into the influence of QC decisions on structural pediatric imaging analyses. While different QC approaches exclude different subsets of participants, the variation of influence of different QC approaches on clinical and brain metrics is minimal in large datasets. Overall, implementation of QC tends to exclude participants who are younger, and those who have more cognitive and functional impairment. Given that automated QC is standardized and can reduce between-study differences, the results of this study support the potential to use automated QC for large pediatric neuroimaging datasets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajer Nakua
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Colin Hawco
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Natalie J Forde
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Michael Joseph
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maud Grillet
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Delaney Johnson
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Grace R Jacobs
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sean Hill
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Aristotle Voineskos
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anne L Wheeler
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Meng-Chuan Lai
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Peter Szatmari
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Rob Nicolson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Russell Schachar
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Genetics & Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jennifer Crosbie
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Genetics & Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Evdokia Anagnostou
- Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jason P Lerch
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Paul D Arnold
- The Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Departments of Psychiatry and Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Stephanie H Ameis
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Lewis S, Papadopoulos N, Mantilla A, Hiscock H, Whelan M, McGillivray J, Rinehart N. The impact of COVID-19 on sleep for autistic children: A systematic review. RESEARCH IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS 2023; 102:102110. [PMID: 36713069 PMCID: PMC9868385 DOI: 10.1016/j.rasd.2023.102110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Up to 80% of children with autism experience behavioural sleep problems, predominantly relating to bedtime resistance, sleep anxiety, sleep dysregulation, and shorter duration, which are associated with increased autistic symptom expression and emotional and behavioural difficulties. Researchers predicted the COVID-19 pandemic would worsen sleep and behavioural difficulties for autistic children, due to their need for routine and certainty. This systematic review is the first to focus on delineating the role of sleep disturbance in exacerbating autistic symptoms and internalising and externalising behaviours during the pandemic. METHOD In this PROSPERO registered systematic review, we aggregated and synthesised findings from empirical studies from 2020 onwards that included children with autism and examined sleep outcomes, using narrative and framework synthesis due to the variety of methods and designs employed. We identified additional relevant themes through inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS Seventy-one studies met the search criteria, and we selected seventeen for review following screening and quality assessment. These studies reported mixed findings; with strongest support for worsening of sleep problems typically experienced by autistic children, including difficulties with sleep regulation and shorter sleep duration. Further, sleep problems were associated with increased expression of autistic characteristics. CONCLUSIONS Preliminary findings of worsening sleep and increased autistic characteristics for autistic children throughout the COVID-19 pandemic highlight the need for ongoing, accessible and flexible service provision during exposure to environmental stressors. We propose that behavioural sleep interventions are well suited to telehealth adaptation and play an important role in supporting families when in-person treatment for sleep problems is not possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Lewis
- Krongold Clinic, School of Educational Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Education, Monash University, 19 Ancora-Imparo Way, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Nicole Papadopoulos
- Krongold Clinic, School of Educational Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Education, Monash University, 19 Ancora-Imparo Way, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Ana Mantilla
- Krongold Clinic, School of Educational Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Education, Monash University, 19 Ancora-Imparo Way, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Harriet Hiscock
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Moira Whelan
- Krongold Clinic, School of Educational Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Education, Monash University, 19 Ancora-Imparo Way, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Jane McGillivray
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia
| | - Nicole Rinehart
- Krongold Clinic, School of Educational Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Education, Monash University, 19 Ancora-Imparo Way, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
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14
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Wolstencroft J, Srinivasan R, Hall J, van den Bree MBM, Owen MJ, Raymond FL, Skuse D. Mental health impact of autism on families of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities of genetic origin. JCPP ADVANCES 2023; 3:e12128. [PMID: 37431317 PMCID: PMC10241472 DOI: 10.1002/jcv2.12128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Many children with an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD) have associated autism spectrum disorders (ASD), as well as an increased risk of mental health difficulties. In a cohort with IDD of genetic aetiology, we tested the hypothesis that excess risk attached to those with ASD + IDD, in terms of both children's mental health and parental psychological distress. Methods Participants with a copy number variant or single nucleotide variant (5-19 years) were recruited via UK National Health Service. 1904 caregivers competed an online assessment of child mental health and reported on their own psychological wellbeing. We used regression to examine the association between IDD with and without co-occurring ASD, and co-occurring mental health difficulties, as well as with parental psychological distress. We adjusted for children's sex, developmental level, physical health, and socio-economic deprivation. Results Of the 1904 participants with IDD, 701 (36.8%) had co-occurring ASD. Children with both IDD and ASD were at higher risk of associated disorders than those with IDD alone (ADHD: OR = 1.84, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.46-2.32, p < 0.0001; emotional disorders: OR = 1.85, 95%CI 1.36-2.5, p < 0.0001; disruptive behaviour disorders: OR = 1.79, 95%CI 1.36-2.37, p < 0.0001). The severity of associated symptoms was also greater in those with ASD (hyperactivity: B = 0.25, 95%CI 0.07-0.34, p = 0.006; emotional difficulties: B = 0.91, 95%CI 0.67 to 1.14, p < 0.0001; conduct problems: B = 0.25, 95%CI 0.05 to 0.46, p = 0.013). Parents of children with IDD and ASD also reported greater psychological distress than those with IDD alone (β = 0.1, 95% CI 0.85 to 2.21, p < 0.0001). Specifically, in those with ASD, symptoms of hyperactivity (β = 0.13, 95% CI 0.29-0.63, p < 0.0001), emotional difficulties (β = 0.15, 95% CI 0.26-0.51, p < 0.0001) and conduct difficulties (β = 0.07, 95% CI 0.07-0.37, p < 0.004) all significantly contributed to parental psychological distress. Conclusions Among children with IDD of genetic aetiology, one third have co-occurring ASD. Not only do those with co-occurring ASD present with a wider range of associated mental health disorders and more severe mental health difficulties than those with IDD alone, but their parents also experience more psychological distress. Our findings suggest that the additional mental health and behavioural symptoms in those with ASD contributed to the degree of parental psychological distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanne Wolstencroft
- UCL NIHR BRC Great Ormond Street Institute of Child HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Ramya Srinivasan
- UCL NIHR BRC Great Ormond Street Institute of Child HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- UCL Division of PsychiatryUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Jeremy Hall
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and GenomicsDivision of Psychological Medicine and Clinical NeurosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research InstituteCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
| | - Marianne B. M. van den Bree
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and GenomicsDivision of Psychological Medicine and Clinical NeurosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research InstituteCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
| | - Michael J. Owen
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and GenomicsDivision of Psychological Medicine and Clinical NeurosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research InstituteCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
| | | | - F. Lucy Raymond
- School of Clinical MedicineUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustCambridge Biomedical CampusCambridgeUK
- NIHR BioresourceCambridge Biomedical CampusCambridgeUK
| | - David Skuse
- UCL NIHR BRC Great Ormond Street Institute of Child HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUK
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15
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Maternal preconception circulating blood biomarker mixtures, child behavioural symptom scores and the potential mediating role of neonatal brain microstructure: the S-PRESTO cohort. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:38. [PMID: 36737601 PMCID: PMC9898508 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02332-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Human brain development starts in the embryonic period. Maternal preconception nutrition and nutrient availability to the embryo may influence brain development at this critical period following conception and early cellular differentiation, thereby affecting offspring neurodevelopmental and behavioural disorder risk. However, studying this is challenging due to difficulties in characterizing preconception nutritional status and few studies have objective neurodevelopmental imaging measures in children. We investigated the associations of maternal preconception circulating blood nutrient-related biomarker mixtures (~15 weeks before conception) with child behavioural symptoms (Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL), aged 3 years) within the Singapore Preconception Study of Long-Term Maternal and Child Outcomes (S-PRESTO) study. The CBCL preschool form evaluates child behaviours based on syndrome scales and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) oriented scales. These scales consist of internalizing problems, externalizing problems, anxiety problems, pervasive developmental problems, oppositional defiant, etc. We applied data-driven clustering and a method for modelling mixtures (Bayesian kernel machine regression, BKMR) to account for complex, non-linear dependencies between 67 biomarkers. We used effect decomposition analyses to explore the potential mediating role of neonatal (week 1) brain microstructure, specifically orientation dispersion indices (ODI) of 49 cortical and subcortical grey matter regions. We found that higher levels of a nutrient cluster including thiamine, thiamine monophosphate (TMP), pyridoxal phosphate, pyridoxic acid, and pyridoxal were associated with a higher CBCL score for internalizing problems (posterior inclusion probability (PIP) = 0.768). Specifically, thiamine independently influenced CBCL (Conditional PIP = 0.775). Higher maternal preconception thiamine level was also associated with a lower right subthalamic nucleus ODI (P-value = 0.01) while a lower right subthalamic nucleus ODI was associated with higher CBCL scores for multiple domains (P-value < 0.05). One potential mechanism is the suboptimal metabolism of free thiamine to active vitamin B1, but additional follow-up and replication studies in other cohorts are needed.
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Chan KKS, Leung DCK, Fung WTW. Longitudinal impact of parents' discrimination experiences on children's internalizing and externalizing symptoms: A 2-year study of families of autistic children. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2023; 27:296-308. [PMID: 35585707 DOI: 10.1177/13623613221093110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT Although many parents of autistic children are routinely discriminated against, the potential impact of this discrimination on their parenting processes and child-rearing outcomes has seldom been investigated. The present study addressed this gap in the literature by examining the longitudinal associations of parents' discrimination experiences with children's internalizing and externalizing symptoms among families of autistic children and testing whether these associations would be mediated by parental depression, harsh parenting, and coparenting conflict. On three occasions across 2 years (i.e. T1, T2, and T3), 441 parents of autistic children from Hong Kong, China, provided questionnaire data. Path analyses showed that parents' discrimination experiences at T1 had significant direct effects on parental depression, harsh parenting, and coparenting conflict at T2, which, in turn, had significant direct effects on children's internalizing and externalizing symptoms at T3. Bootstrap analyses further demonstrated that parents' discrimination experiences at T1 had significant indirect effects on children's internalizing and externalizing symptoms at T3 via parental depression, harsh parenting, and coparenting conflict at T2. Our findings have important theoretical contributions and significant practical implications. Theoretically, our findings elucidate how parents' discrimination experiences may longitudinally heighten children's internalizing and externalizing symptoms by adversely affecting parental well-being and parent-child and inter-parental relationships. Practically, our findings highlight the importance of designing and implementing community-based stigma reduction programs and family-based stigma coping interventions to reduce parents' discrimination experiences and associated adverse outcomes on well-being, parenting, marriage, and child development.
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Parent couple conflict and emotional and behavioral problems in youth with autism: Longitudinal investigation of bidirectional effects. Dev Psychopathol 2023; 35:62-72. [PMID: 34581260 PMCID: PMC8958176 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579421000596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Families of youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are vulnerable to maladaptive psychosocial experiences, including elevated youth emotional and behavioral problems (EBPs) and poor parent couple relationship outcomes. Yet, the extent to which these family psychosocial experiences are intertwined has been given little research attention. The present study longitudinally investigated the bidirectional associations between parent couple conflict (PCC) and youth EBPs in 188 families of children and adolescents with ASD (initially aged 5 to 12 years) across four time points (T1, T2, T3, T4), each spaced 12 months apart. Mother- and father-report of youth EBPs and PCC were entered into a cross-lagged panel model. After adjusting for youth age and intellectual disability status and parent education and couple relationship length, the results indicated that father-report of PCC predicted increased youth EBPs 12 months later (T1→T2 and T2→T3). In addition, father-report of youth EBPs predicted increased PCC 12 months later (T3→T4). Mother-report did not demonstrate cross-lagged effects. The findings suggest that fathers' perceptions of PCC and youth emotional and behavioral functioning are transactionally related, highlighting the need for family-wide interventions.
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18
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Rosen NE, Schiltz HK, Lord C. Sibling Influences on Trajectories of Maladaptive Behaviors in Autism. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11185349. [PMID: 36142996 PMCID: PMC9502075 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11185349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Siblings play an important role in the behavioral trajectories of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While having siblings has been associated with positive outcomes in ASD, including stronger adaptive functioning, social and non-verbal communication, and theory of mind, little is known about the impact of siblings on more negative outcomes, such as maladaptive behaviors. To address this gap, the present longitudinal study tested sibling predictors of trajectories of maladaptive behaviors (e.g., teacher- and parent-reported hyperactivity, irritability, and social withdrawal) from childhood through early adulthood among individuals with ASD and non-spectrum delays. Multilevel models revealed that, while the mere presence of a sibling did not impact maladaptive behavior trajectories apart from teacher-reported hyperactivity, the diagnostic profile of the sibling (e.g., emotional/behavioral disorder, ASD, medical condition) emerged as an important predictor. Specifically, although findings varied across teacher and parent reports, more hyperactivity and irritability across time was identified when the sibling had diagnoses of an emotional/behavioral disorder, ASD, and/or a medical condition. Overall, this study provides novel insight into the broader family-level factors that influence the presentation of maladaptive behaviors across time and across contexts.
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Weber C, Krieger B, Häne E, Yarker J, McDowall A. Physical Workplace Adjustments to Support Neurodivergent Workers: A Systematic Review. APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY-AN INTERNATIONAL REVIEW-PSYCHOLOGIE APPLIQUEE-REVUE INTERNATIONALE 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/apps.12431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Clara Weber
- Institute of Facility Management, School of Life Sciences and Facility Management, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Wädenswil, Switzerland; and Environmental Psychology Department School of Psychology University of Surrey Guildford UK
- Department of Environmental Psychology, School of Psychology University of Surrey Guildford UK
| | - Beate Krieger
- Institute of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Science Zurich University of Applied Sciences Winterthur Switzerland
| | - Eunji Häne
- Institute of Facility Management, School of Life Sciences and Facility Management, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Wädenswil, Switzerland; and Environmental Psychology Department School of Psychology University of Surrey Guildford UK
| | - Joanna Yarker
- Department of Organizational Psychology Birkbeck University of London London United Kingdom
| | - Almuth McDowall
- Department of Organizational Psychology Birkbeck University of London London United Kingdom
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Carpita B, Migli L, Chiarantini I, Battaglini S, Montalbano C, Carmassi C, Cremone IM, Dell’Osso L. Autism Spectrum Disorder and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: A Literature Review. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12060792. [PMID: 35741677 PMCID: PMC9221419 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12060792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are a group of conditions associated with the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure and characterized by somatic and neuropsychological alterations. On the other hand, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by a multifaceted neurobehavioral syndrome. Since alcohol can affect every stage of brain development, some authors hypothesized that in utero alcohol exposure might be linked to an increased risk of ASD in subjects with genetic vulnerability. The present review aimed to summarize the available literature on the possible association between FASD and ASD, also focusing on the reported clinical overlaps and on the possible shared pathogenic mechanisms. Studies in this field have stressed similarities and differences between the two conditions, leading to controversial results. The available literature also highlighted that both the disorders are often misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed, stressing the need to broaden the perspective, paying specific attention to milder presentations and sub-syndromic traits.
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21
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Feldman M, Hamsho N, Blacher J, Carter AS, Eisenhower A. Predicting peer acceptance and peer rejection for autistic children. PSYCHOLOGY IN THE SCHOOLS 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/pits.22739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Feldman
- TEACCH Autism Program School of Medicine, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Narmene Hamsho
- Department of Psychology University of Massachusetts Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Jan Blacher
- Graduate School of Education University of California Riverside California USA
| | - Alice S. Carter
- Department of Psychology University of Massachusetts Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Abbey Eisenhower
- Department of Psychology University of Massachusetts Boston Massachusetts USA
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22
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Nakua H, Hawco C, Forde NJ, Jacobs GR, Joseph M, Voineskos AN, Wheeler AL, Lai MC, Szatmari P, Kelley E, Liu X, Georgiades S, Nicolson R, Schachar R, Crosbie J, Anagnostou E, Lerch JP, Arnold PD, Ameis SH. Cortico-amygdalar connectivity and externalizing/internalizing behavior in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Brain Struct Funct 2022; 227:1963-1979. [PMID: 35469103 PMCID: PMC9232404 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-022-02483-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Background Externalizing and internalizing behaviors contribute to clinical impairment in children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Although associations between externalizing or internalizing behaviors and cortico-amygdalar connectivity have been found in clinical and non-clinical pediatric samples, no previous study has examined whether similar shared associations are present across children with different NDDs. Methods Multi-modal neuroimaging and behavioral data from the Province of Ontario Neurodevelopmental Disorders (POND) Network were used. POND participants aged 6–18 years with a primary diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), as well as typically developing children (TDC) with T1-weighted, resting-state fMRI or diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and parent-report Child Behavioral Checklist (CBCL) data available, were analyzed (total n = 346). Associations between externalizing or internalizing behavior and cortico-amygdalar structural and functional connectivity indices were examined using linear regressions, controlling for age, gender, and image-modality specific covariates. Behavior-by-diagnosis interaction effects were also examined. Results No significant linear associations (or diagnosis-by-behavior interaction effects) were found between CBCL-measured externalizing or internalizing behaviors and any of the connectivity indices examined. Post-hoc bootstrapping analyses indicated stability and reliability of these null results. Conclusions The current study provides evidence towards an absence of a shared linear relationship between internalizing or externalizing behaviors and cortico-amygdalar connectivity properties across a transdiagnostic sample of children with different primary NDD diagnoses and TDC. Different methodological approaches, including incorporation of multi-dimensional behavioral data (e.g., task-based fMRI) or clustering approaches may be needed to clarify complex brain-behavior relationships relevant to externalizing/internalizing behaviors in heterogeneous clinical NDD populations. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00429-022-02483-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajer Nakua
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 80 Workman Way, Toronto, ON, M6J 1H4, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Colin Hawco
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 80 Workman Way, Toronto, ON, M6J 1H4, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Natalie J Forde
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 80 Workman Way, Toronto, ON, M6J 1H4, Canada
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Grace R Jacobs
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 80 Workman Way, Toronto, ON, M6J 1H4, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Michael Joseph
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 80 Workman Way, Toronto, ON, M6J 1H4, Canada
| | - Aristotle N Voineskos
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 80 Workman Way, Toronto, ON, M6J 1H4, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Anne L Wheeler
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Meng-Chuan Lai
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 80 Workman Way, Toronto, ON, M6J 1H4, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Peter Szatmari
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 80 Workman Way, Toronto, ON, M6J 1H4, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Kelley
- Department of Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, Queens University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Xudong Liu
- Department of Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, Queens University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | | | - Rob Nicolson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Russell Schachar
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jennifer Crosbie
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Evdokia Anagnostou
- Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jason P Lerch
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Paul D Arnold
- The Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Departments of Psychiatry and Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Stephanie H Ameis
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 80 Workman Way, Toronto, ON, M6J 1H4, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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23
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Berry A, Burke T, Carr A. The impact of the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic on parents of children with externalising difficulties in ireland: A longitudinal cohort study. Int J Clin Pract 2021; 75:e14941. [PMID: 34610195 PMCID: PMC8646641 DOI: 10.1111/ijcp.14941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This longitudinal cohort study aimed to examine the impact of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland on parents of children with externalising difficulties, in comparison to parents of children without such difficulties. METHOD Parents of 159 children completed online self-report measures at three time points during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic; (a) Delay and Mitigation Phase (March 2020 to May 2020), (b) Reopening of Society Phase (June 2020 to July 2020) and (c) Wave 2 Case Acceleration Phase (September 2020 to October 2020). Participants were allocated to the clinical group if they met the clinical cut off point on the Conduct or Hyperactivity/Inattention subscales of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire at Time 1. RESULTS Parents of children with externalising difficulties experienced significantly higher levels of stress, lower levels of wellbeing and engaged in higher levels of avoidant-focused coping strategies longitudinally. There was a significant difference between outcomes at the different phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, for stress related to parenting, personal/family stress related to the impact of the COVID-19 and type of coping strategies employed. Children with externalising difficulties, in comparison to children without externalising difficulties, showed significantly greater adjustment over time for behavioural and emotional difficulties, as reported by their parents. CONCLUSIONS Results provide important information regarding the trajectory of psychological outcomes in parents of children with externalising difficulties over the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for increased parental supports during, and after, the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Berry
- School of PsychologyUniversity College Dublin (UCD)DublinIreland
- Health Service Executive (HSE)Laois/OffalyIreland
| | - Tom Burke
- School of PsychologyUniversity College Dublin (UCD)DublinIreland
- Health Service Executive (HSE)Laois/OffalyIreland
- School of PsychologyNational University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)GalwayIreland
| | - Alan Carr
- School of PsychologyUniversity College Dublin (UCD)DublinIreland
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24
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Ding N, Gao H, Jiang J, Zhai M, Shao H, Fu L, Li C, Ren Y, Li Y, Feng M, Cui X, Qiu N, Jin P, Ke X. The characteristics and factors of the internalizing and externalizing behaviours of children at high risk for autism spectrum disorder. BMC Psychiatry 2021; 21:523. [PMID: 34686160 PMCID: PMC8532264 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-021-03479-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The behavioral characteristics of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are not only affected by their disease, but also by their parenting environment. HR-ASD has the risk of developing internalization and externalization problems. How the early development of these behavioral problems is affected by parent-child interaction is worth exploring. We tested whether parent-child interactions and parenting characteristics were associated with behavioural problems during the infant periods. METHODS This study collected data from 91 infants at high risk for ASD and 68 matched typically developing (TD) infants, about their internalizing and externalizing behavioural problems and engagement states (i.e. positive, negative, and parent-child interactions), using free play paradigm. Parent measures were assessed using the Broad Autism Phenotypic Questionnaire (BAPQ) and Parenting Stress Index Short Form (PSI-SF) questionnaire. The core symptoms of ASD were assessed using the the Autism Diagnostic Observational Schedule (ADOS). RESULTS During free play, infants in the HR-ASD group showed more internalizing (P < 0.001) and externalizing (P < 0.05) behaviours and less positive engagement (P < 0.01) than the TD group. In the regression analysis, we found that parenting stress had an impact on the infants' externalizing behaviours (△R2 = 0.215). Parent negative engagement had an impact on the infants' internalizing behaviours (△R2 = 0.451). CONCLUSIONS The present study revealed that children at high risk for ASD exhibited more severe internalizing and externalizing behavioural problems than TD group. The parent negative engagement is associated with behavioural problems. The findings on the contribution of parents' factors to behavioural problems suggests that the parenting stress and parent-child interactions are important factors for mitigating behavioural problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Ding
- Nanjing Brain Hospital, Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Huiyun Gao
- Nanjing Brain Hospital, Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Jiying Jiang
- Nanjing Brain Hospital, Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Mengyao Zhai
- Nanjing Brain Hospital, Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Huan Shao
- Nanjing Brain Hospital, Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Linyan Fu
- Nanjing Brain Hospital, Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Chunyan Li
- Nanjing Brain Hospital, Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Yanling Ren
- Nanjing Brain Hospital, Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Yu Li
- Nanjing Brain Hospital, Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Min Feng
- Nanjing Brain Hospital, Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Xiwen Cui
- Nanjing Brain Hospital, Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Nana Qiu
- Nanjing Brain Hospital, Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Peiying Jin
- Nanjing Brain Hospital, Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Xiaoyan Ke
- Nanjing Brain Hospital, Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing, 210029, China.
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25
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Munsell EGS, Orsmond GI, Fulford D, Coster WJ. Metacognition Mediates the Effect of Social Communication and Internalizing Behaviors on Self-management of Daily Life Tasks for Diploma-Track Autistic Youth. J Autism Dev Disord 2021; 52:4274-4285. [PMID: 34611837 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-05306-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Social communication and executive functioning challenges as well as co-occurring anxiety/depression may make acquiring the skills needed to manage daily life tasks difficult for diploma-track autistic youth, thus limiting their participation in adult roles. This study describes the associations between executive function, social communication skills, and internalizing behaviors on task management in academically capable autistic adolescents (n = 46) using multiple regression with mediator analysis. The three predictors and youth age explained a moderate amount of variance in task management. Metacognition mediated the effect of social communication skills and internalizing behaviors on task management. Relations between underlying factors that influence self-management of daily life tasks are complex, supporting the need for multifaceted assessment and intervention approaches for academically capable autistic youth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth G S Munsell
- Occupational Therapy Department, College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College, Boston University, 635 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
| | - Gael I Orsmond
- Occupational Therapy Department, College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College, Boston University, 635 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Daniel Fulford
- Occupational Therapy Department, College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College, Boston University, 635 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.,Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Wendy J Coster
- Occupational Therapy Department, College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College, Boston University, 635 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
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26
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Nuske HJ, Shih WI, Sparapani N, Baczewski L, Dimachkie Nunnally A, Hochheimer S, Garcia C, Castellon F, Levato L, Fischer E, Atkinson-Diaz ZL, Li J, Mandell DS, Kasari C. Self-regulation predicts companionship in children with autism. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2021; 68:889-899. [PMID: 36568619 PMCID: PMC9788710 DOI: 10.1080/20473869.2021.1917109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Self-regulation is associated with many positive outcomes in children with and without autism, including increased mental health and academic achievement, and decreased problem behavior. Less is known regarding whether and how self-regulation and symptoms of mental health challenges (internalizing and externalizing problems) relate to social outcomes, such as friendship quality and loneliness. Parents and teachers of 106 children with autism aged 5-12 reported on children's self-regulation difficulties and externalizing and internalizing symptoms. Four-to-five months later, children reported on the quality of their friendship with their best friend (companionship, conflict, helpfulness, sense of relationship security, closeness), and their feelings of loneliness. Linear regression was used to examine the effects of self-regulation and symptoms of mental health challenges on friendship quality and loneliness. Less self-regulation difficulties predicted stronger companionship and girls had better quality friendships with their best friend than did boys, in terms of companionship, helpfulness, security and closeness, confirming that they have a protective advantage in friendship development. Autism symptoms, IQ, and age were not associated with friendship quality or loneliness. Results highlight the importance of self-regulation and mental health interventions for school-aged children with autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather J. Nuske
- Penn Center for Mental Health, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Wendy I. Shih
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Nicole Sparapani
- University of California Davis MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Lauren Baczewski
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Samantha Hochheimer
- Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Consuelo Garcia
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Fernanda Castellon
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lynne Levato
- Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Erin Fischer
- Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | | | - Jennica Li
- University of California Davis MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - David S. Mandell
- Penn Center for Mental Health, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Connie Kasari
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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27
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Nuta R, Koudys J, O'Neill P. Parent treatment integrity across multiple components of a behavioral intervention. BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/bin.1817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Raluca Nuta
- Department of Applied Disability Studies Brock University St. Catharines Ontario Canada
| | - Julie Koudys
- Department of Applied Disability Studies Brock University St. Catharines Ontario Canada
| | - Paige O'Neill
- Department of Applied Disability Studies Brock University St. Catharines Ontario Canada
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28
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Kubo N, Kitagawa M, Iwamoto S, Kishimoto T. Effects of an attachment-based parent intervention on mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder: preliminary findings from a non-randomized controlled trial. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health 2021; 15:37. [PMID: 34273976 PMCID: PMC8286615 DOI: 10.1186/s13034-021-00389-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often experience difficulties in responding appropriately to the needs of those children, who typically express attachment in distinct and nonconventional ways. This highlights the need for an attachment-based approach targeted at caregivers of children with ASD. Circle of Security Parenting (COSP), an attachment-based parenting program, is designed to increase caregivers' sensitivity to children's attachment needs. The aim of this study was to provide verification of the effectiveness of COSP in mothers of children with ASD. METHODS This study was a non-randomized controlled trial. Sixty mothers of children with ASD aged 4-12 were recruited. Twenty mothers received the COSP intervention, while 40 did not. The characteristics of children in the control group were matched with those of the intervention group. To evaluate the outcomes of the intervention, changes in parental self-efficacy and mental health were assessed using the Tool to Measure Parenting Self-Efficacy (TOPSE) and the General Health Questionnaire-30 (GHQ-30). The children's improvement in emotional and behavioral problems was assessed from the mothers' perspective using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Both groups completed the assessments in parallel. Evaluations were compared between baseline (T1) and 6-month follow-up (T2). RESULTS Scores for self-efficacy and mental health of mothers and behavior of children were significantly improved from T1 to T2 in the intervention group, but not in the control group. Participants' mental health was markedly worsened in the control group. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that the COSP program for mothers of children with ASD improved their parental self-efficacy and mental health, and reduced their subjective sense of difficulties related to their children's behaviors. Our findings support the effectiveness of the attachment-based program for mothers of children with ASD, providing the groundwork for further studies of the attachment-based intervention for children with ASD and their families. Future studies with larger samples and randomization are also needed for direct evaluation of the improvement of children's attachment security, and for exploration of the synergistic relationship between various family support strategies and COSP. Trial Registration This trial was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trial Registry (No. UMIN000039574).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuyo Kubo
- School of Psychological Science, Kansai University of Welfare Sciences, 3-11-1 Asahigaoka, Kashiwara, Osaka, 582-0026, Japan.
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan.
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Early-Life Environmental and Child Factors Associated with the Presence of Disruptive Behaviors in Seven-Year-Old Children with Autistic Traits in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. J Autism Dev Disord 2021; 52:2747-2761. [PMID: 34247301 PMCID: PMC9114014 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-05081-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
We studied the association of early-life environmental and child factors with disruptive behaviors in children with autistic traits around age 7, in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (n = 6,401). Logistic regression with the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator indicated that disruptive behaviors were associated with prenatal smoking, no seafood-consumption during pregnancy, breech presentation at delivery, neonatal feeding problems, low social-economic situation, suboptimal preschool family environment, maternal depression, maternal antisocial behavior, male sex, and difficult child temperament. Compared to controls, male sex, maternal depression, and suboptimal preschool family environment were related to autistic traits without disruptive behaviors. Thus, there may be a difference in early-life factors related to autism spectrum disorder with and without disruptive behaviors.
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30
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Hartley M, Due C, Dorstyn D. Barriers and facilitators to engaging individuals and families with autism spectrum disorder in mindfulness and acceptance-based therapies: a meta-synthesis. Disabil Rehabil 2021; 44:4590-4601. [PMID: 34033733 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2021.1921859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Third-wave psychological therapies can benefit individuals and families living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To date, little is known about individuals' perceptions and experiences of therapy. This meta-synthesis aimed to capture participants' own reflections of mindfulness and acceptance-based therapies, including potential barriers and facilitators to therapy engagement. MATERIALS AND METHODS Database searches identified 10 independent studies targeting caregivers (Nstudies = 3), dyadic parent-child interventions (Nstudies = 6), or adults with ASD (Nstudies = 1). Studies were subject to quality assessment and thematically analysed. RESULTS Caregivers highlighted a need to adapt the length and frequency of daily mindfulness practice around busy lifestyles. Adults with ASD also identified therapy barriers, although these data were less robust. Children with ASD focused on therapy benefits. CONCLUSIONS All three participant groups commented on the importance of mindfulness as a method to enhance self-awareness, self-regulation and self-care. Peer support provided in group-based therapy was also seen as beneficial. Future research should examine the application of mindfulness therapies to adults with ASD, with little currently known about this cohort's therapy experiences. Whether traditional mindfulness approaches can be effectively modified to accommodate ongoing, cumulative daily demands these families experience also requires investigation.Implications for rehabilitationIndividuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their caregivers often experience high levels of anxiety and stress.Mindfulness and acceptance-based therapies can enhance an individual's self-awareness and self-regulation, thereby reducing distress - with benefits extending to familiesGroup-based therapy is an important adjunct to the support of caregivers developing mindfulness-awareness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Hartley
- The School of Psychology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia
| | - Clemence Due
- The School of Psychology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia
| | - Diana Dorstyn
- The School of Psychology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia
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31
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Scibelli F, Fucà E, Guerrera S, Lupi E, Alfieri P, Valeri G, Vicari S. Clinical and individual features associated with maternal stress in young adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Autism Res 2021; 14:1935-1947. [PMID: 34013607 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Parents of people with autism spectrum disorder experience both negative stressful and positive events. Several clinical and socio-demographic features of children on the autism spectrum have been associated with parenting stress in their families. However, there have been few studies that focus on adolescents and the role of cognitive impairment has rarely been addressed. The main aim of the present research is to explore associations between autism symptoms, cognitive impairment, emotional and behavioral problems, socio-demographic features, and maternal stress in a sample of young adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder with and without cognitive impairment. Cognitive impairment and emotional and behavioral problems are associated with maternal stress, while autism symptoms seem to play a minor role. Maternal education and occupation are only associated with maternal stress in the group with cognitive impairment, while maternal age is stress-associated in the group of adolescents without cognitive impairment. Age-related implications for intervention and future research directions are discussed. LAY SUMMARY: Parents of individuals on the autism spectrum are exposed to both negative stressful and enriching experiences during their parenthood. While the influence of several child characteristics and socio-demographic features on parental stress during childhood has been widely explored in past studies, studies on teenagers are limited. The aim of the present research is to explore the influence of several characteristics on maternal stress levels in families with teenagers on the autism spectrum. We found that cognitive impairment and emotional and behavioral problems are associated with maternal stress, while autism symptoms seem to play a minor role. Socio-demographic features are not associated with maternal stress. Broadly speaking, the subjective perception of parental distress in both groups is less related to teenagers' characteristics then the perception of having a difficult interaction with the teenagers. We divided our participants into two groups (one group with cognitive impairment and the other group without). We found that mothers of teenagers with cognitive impairment are generally more stressed compared to the other group. Furthermore, we confirm that emotional and behavioral problems seem to play a major role in maternal stress (especially in the group without cognitive impairment), while autism symptoms seem to play a minor role. Furthermore, we found that maternal education/occupation and maternal age are associated with maternal stress in the group with and the group without cognitive impairment respectively. This research highlights the association between several variables and stress in mothers of adolescents on the spectrum. Results are discussed in the framework of previous findings highlighting the lack of adequate care and support services for families, especially for those of adolescents on the spectrum with cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Scibelli
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Fucà
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Guerrera
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Lupi
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Alfieri
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Valeri
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Vicari
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
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Earl RK, Ward T, Gerdts J, Eichler EE, Bernier RA, Hudac CM. Sleep Problems in Children with ASD and Gene Disrupting Mutations. The Journal of Genetic Psychology 2021; 182:317-334. [PMID: 33998396 DOI: 10.1080/00221325.2021.1922869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Sleep difficulties are pervasive in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet how sleep problems relate to underlying biological mechanisms such as genetic etiology is unclear, despite recent reports of profound sleep problems in children with ASD-associated de novo likely gene disrupting (dnLGD) mutations, CHD8, DYRK1A, and ADNP. We aimed to inform etiological contributions to ASD and sleep by characterizing sleep problems in individuals with dnLGD mutations. Participants (N = 2886) were families who completed dichotomous questions about sleep problems within a medical history interview for their child with ASD (age 3-28 years). Confirmatory factor analyses compared between those with ASD and a dnLGD mutation and those with idiopathic ASD (i.e., no known genetic event, NON) highlighted four domains (sleep onset, breathing issues, nighttime awakenings, and daytime tiredness) with sleep onset as a strong factor for both groups. Overall, participant predictors indicated that internalizing behavioral problems and lower cognitive scores were related to increased sleep problems. Internalizing problems were also related to increase nighttime awakenings in the dnLGD group. As an exploratory aim, patterns of sleep issues are described for genetic subgroups with unique patterns including more overall sleep issues in ADNP (n = 19), problems falling asleep in CHD8 (n = 22), and increased daytime naps in DYRK1A (n = 23). Implications for considering genetically defined subgroups when approaching sleep problems in children with ASD are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel K Earl
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Tracey Ward
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jennifer Gerdts
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Evan E Eichler
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Raphael A Bernier
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Caitlin M Hudac
- Center for Youth Development and Intervention and Department of Psychology, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
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Baker E, Stavropoulos KKM, Baker BL, Blacher J. Daily living skills in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: Implications for intervention and independence. RESEARCH IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS 2021; 83:101761. [PMID: 33796139 PMCID: PMC8009320 DOI: 10.1016/j.rasd.2021.101761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Challenges in adaptive behaviors are present in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), while variation in IQ, social skills, and comorbidities are possible influences on adaptive behaviors. However, adaptive behaviors do not consistently map onto cognitive abilities in ASD, as high IQ is not protective against challenges in adaptive behaviors. Additionally, individuals with both ASD and elevated levels of externalizing problem behaviors experience even worse adaptive behaviors. Identifying factors that contribute to the variance in adaptive behaviors, particularly daily living skills (DLS), may inform strategies to improve adaptive behaviors necessary for independence in adulthood. METHOD Adolescents with typical cognitive development (TD, n=84), intellectual disability (ID, n=30), or ASD (n=45) were included in this study to examine group differences in adaptive behaviors, identify relations between IQ and DLS, and determine factors that contribute to variance in DLS at youth age 13. The Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, 2nd Edition (VABS-II) was used to measure adaptive behaviors. RESULTS All domains of adaptive behavior were significantly higher in TD groups compared to ASD and ID youth. Significant positive correlations were observed between IQ and DLS in the ASD and ID groups. In the ASD youth group, higher externalizing behavior problems explained the most variance in DLS. CONCLUSIONS DLS are below age-expected levels in young adolescents with ASD, in part because of the higher externalizing behavior problems in this group. Incorporating adaptive skills training and behavior management strategies into current interventions may serve to prepare adolescents and families for the transition to adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Baker
- University of California, Riverside. 900 University Ave,
Riverside, California, USA 92521
| | | | - Bruce L. Baker
- University of California, Los Angeles. Los Angeles,
California, USA 90095
| | - Jan Blacher
- University of California, Riverside. 900 University Ave,
Riverside, California, USA 92521
- University of California, Los Angeles. Los Angeles,
California, USA 90095
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May CD, St George JM, Lane S. Fathers Raising Children on the Autism Spectrum: Lower Stress and Higher Self-Efficacy Following SMS (Text2dads) Intervention. J Autism Dev Disord 2021; 52:306-315. [PMID: 33677676 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-04925-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
This study explored potential influence of a text-based program for fathers of children on the autism spectrum. Fathers (N = 184) were recruited through autism services across Australia. Participants received messages focusing on five domains: (a) relationships with parenting partner; (b) formal support; (c) father-child interaction; (d) understanding autism; and, (e) coping. Surveys explored parenting stress, co-parenting quality and autism-specific parenting self-efficacy. Eighty-eight percent completed the program, 43.6% completed pre and post surveys. There was significant reduction in parenting stress (p < .01) and increase in autism-specific parenting self-efficacy (p < .01). Effect sizes indicate these may be clinically meaningful. This highly scalable intervention has potential to influence factors that shape and sustain relationships fathers share with their children on the autism spectrum, families and services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris D May
- Family Action Centre, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.
| | - Jennifer M St George
- Family Action Centre, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
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Brief Report: Mindfulness Training for Chinese Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Parents in Hong Kong. J Autism Dev Disord 2021; 51:4147-4159. [PMID: 33484370 PMCID: PMC8510984 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-020-04729-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a concurrent mindfulness program (MYmind) on Chinese adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and their parents in Hong Kong, China using a randomized controlled trial with a waitlist control group. Results showed the study had 80% compliance rate, 0% dropout rate, and 89% response rate. Between-group comparisons showed mindfulness had trend effects on parent’s rumination (g = 1.16), mindful parenting (d = 0.6), parenting style (d = 0.59), and parenting stress (d = 0.5). The study demonstrated the feasibility of the MYmind program in the Chinese context. A larger trial with longer follow-up period is suggested to better examine the effect of mindfulness on adolescents with ASD and their parents.
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Jordan R, Kalvin CB, Ibrahim K, Sukhodolsky DG. Parent Emotion Socialization in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Co-Occurring Anxiety. Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol 2021; 49:125-137. [PMID: 33442839 PMCID: PMC7809195 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-020-00731-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Although parents' socialization of children's emotional experiences and expression has been widely studied in typically developing (TD) populations, these processes have been largely unexplored in families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The present study examined parent emotion socialization in a well-characterized sample of verbally fluent children with ASD and comorbid anxiety disorders. Participants included 64 children, aged 8-15 years, who had ASD and co-occurring anxiety and 24 matched TD children without psychiatric disorders. Parents completed ratings of their responses to their children's emotional experiences using the Coping with Children's Negative Emotions Scale (CCNES), and both parents and children completed ratings of child anxiety using the Multidimensional Anxiety Rating Scale (MASC). Parents of children with ASD and anxiety did not differ from parents of TD children without psychiatric disorders in their endorsement of different emotion socialization practices. However, among children with ASD and anxiety, greater anxiety was associated with more emotion-focused responses from parents, and for children with less ASD symptom severity, lower levels of anxiety were associated with more punitive responses from parents. Results suggest that certain types of more directive emotion socialization approaches may be associated with lower anxiety in children with ASD, whereas emotion socialization approaches focused on altering the child's emotional experiences may be associated with greater anxiety in this population. While it is likely that parent emotion socialization practices impact children's emotional experiences of anxiety, it is also likely that children with distinct profiles of anxiety and ASD symptomology elicit specific styles of emotion socialization from parents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Jordan
- Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 230 S. Frontage Road, New Haven, CT, 06520, US.
| | - Carla B Kalvin
- Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 230 S. Frontage Road, New Haven, CT, 06520, US
| | - Karim Ibrahim
- Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 230 S. Frontage Road, New Haven, CT, 06520, US
| | - Denis G Sukhodolsky
- Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 230 S. Frontage Road, New Haven, CT, 06520, US
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Voliovitch Y, Leventhal JM, Fenick AM, Gupta AR, Feinberg E, Hickey EJ, Shabanova V, Weitzman C. Parenting Stress and its Associated Components Prior to an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Diagnostic Evaluation. J Autism Dev Disord 2021; 51:3432-3442. [PMID: 33387245 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-020-04804-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show increased levels of parenting stress, but only one study has examined this association before a diagnostic evaluation. We conducted a cross-sectional study of parenting stress in 317 low SES parents with children at-risk for ASD before a diagnostic evaluation. Multiple regression modeling evaluated the associations between parenting stress and parent and child factors. Parenting stress was negatively associated with social support and positively associated with active avoidance coping and parental worry. However, parenting stress was not associated with the child's ASD symptom severity or adaptive functioning, except for self-direction. Findings suggest parenting stress among parents of children at risk of ASD should be assessed prior to diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yair Voliovitch
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Pediatric Neurology Institute, Dana-Dwek Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - John M Leventhal
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ada M Fenick
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Abha R Gupta
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Emily Feinberg
- Division of General Academic Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Emily J Hickey
- Division of General Academic Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, USA
| | | | - Carol Weitzman
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Relationship Between Early Social-Emotional Behavior and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A High-Risk Sibling Study. J Autism Dev Disord 2020; 50:2527-2539. [PMID: 30852785 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-019-03977-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Social-emotional behavior in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was examined among high-risk (HR; siblings of children diagnosed with ASD) and low-risk (LR; no family history of ASD) toddlers. Caregivers completed the Infant-Toddler Social Emotional Assessment (ITSEA) at 18 months, and blind diagnostic assessment for ASD was conducted at 36 months. Results indicated impairment in social-emotional functioning among HR toddlers subsequently diagnosed with ASD compared to other HR and LR toddlers, such that ITSEA domains (Internalizing, Dysregulation, Competence) and subdomains predicted later ASD symptoms and diagnosis. Receiver operating curves of optimal ITSEA cutoffs ranged from 0.23 to 0.44 for sensitivity, and 0.74 to 0.89 for specificity. Although classification accuracy for ASD was limited, group differences highlight the importance of considering social-emotional development when assessing ASD risk.
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Lin YN, Iao LS, Lee YH, Wu CC. Parenting Stress and Child Behavior Problems in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Transactional Relations Across Time. J Autism Dev Disord 2020; 51:2381-2391. [PMID: 32965625 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-020-04720-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
This longitudinal study examined the transactional relations between parenting stress and both internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems in young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) over 1.5 years using a cross-lagged panel analysis. Participants included 75 young children with ASD (Time 1; mean age = 25.68 months) and their parents. Parenting stress that was related to parent's perceptions on child characteristics was found to predict externalizing behavioral problems in young children with ASD across two time points. However, behavioral problems in young children with ASD did not predict parenting stress. These findings provide implications for early intervention and family services for young children with ASD and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Nung Lin
- Department of Psychology, Kaohsiung Medical University, 8F, Chi-Shih Building, 100, Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan
| | - Lai-Sang Iao
- Department of Psychology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | - Yu-Han Lee
- Clinical Psychology Center, Ditmanson Medical Foundation, Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Chin Wu
- Department of Psychology, Kaohsiung Medical University, 8F, Chi-Shih Building, 100, Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan. .,Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
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40
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Rodriguez G, Drastal K, Hartley SL. Cross-lagged model of bullying victimization and mental health problems in children with autism in middle to older childhood. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2020; 25:90-101. [PMID: 32921150 DOI: 10.1177/1362361320947513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT Youth with autism spectrum disorders are disproportionately at risk for bullying victimization compared to typically developing children and adolescents. While internalizing and externalizing mental health problems have been linked to victimization experiences, few studies have examined the longitudinal effects bullying victimization experiences may have on youth mental health outcomes. The present study investigated longitudinal associations between bullying victimization and mental health problems in a sample of children with autism in middle childhood to early adolescence (aged 5 to 12 years). Findings from our study suggest that youth with autism who experienced bullying victimization (versus no victimization) were older in age, had more severe autism symptoms, and higher levels of internalizing and externalizing mental health problems at study onset. Though externalizing mental health problems at study onset (Time 1) did not relate to change in the likelihood of being bullied one year later (Time 2), experiences of bullying victimization did relate to an increase in parent reports of internalizing mental health problems. This study expanded on previous cross-sectional studies by including two waves of data in a relatively large sample of youth with autism and highlights important information that may be helpful in adapting approaches to intervention at the individual level. Moreover, our findings support the need for bullying programs that may need to focus particular attention to subgroups of youth with autism who may be most at-risk for bullying victimization such as those with more autism symptoms and those with past experiences of victimization (given the chronic nature of bullying).
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41
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Levinson S, Neuspiel J, Eisenhower A, Blacher J. Parent-Teacher Disagreement on Ratings of Behavior Problems in Children with ASD: Associations with Parental School Involvement Over Time. J Autism Dev Disord 2020; 51:1966-1982. [PMID: 32909166 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-020-04675-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
ASD symptomology and behavioral problems pose challenges for children with ASD in school. Disagreement between parents and teachers in ratings of children's behavior problems may provide clinically relevant information. We examined parent-teacher disagreement on ratings of behavior problems among children with ASD during the fall and spring of the school year. When child, teacher, and class characteristics were considered simultaneously, only ASD symptom severity predicted informant disagreement on internalizing and externalizing behavior problems. We also examined associations between informant disagreement and parent school involvement. Cross-lagged panel analyses revealed that higher informant disagreement on children's behavior problems in the fall predicted lower parent school involvement in the spring, suggesting that greater informant agreement may foster parental school involvement over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Levinson
- University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 William T. Morrissey Blvd, Boston, MA, 02125-3393, USA.
| | - Juliana Neuspiel
- University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 William T. Morrissey Blvd, Boston, MA, 02125-3393, USA
| | - Abbey Eisenhower
- University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 William T. Morrissey Blvd, Boston, MA, 02125-3393, USA
| | - Jan Blacher
- University of California Riverside, 900 University Ave, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
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Quebles I, Solomon O, Smith KA, Rao SR, Lu F, Azen C, Anaya G, Yin L. Racial and Ethnic Differences in Behavioral Problems and Medication Use Among Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders. AMERICAN JOURNAL ON INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2020; 125:369-388. [PMID: 32936891 PMCID: PMC8423191 DOI: 10.1352/1944-7558-125.5.369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
We examined racial and ethnic differences in the prevalence of behavioral problems measured by the Child Behavioral Checklist (CBCL), sleep disturbances measured by the Child Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), and medication use among children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). We analyzed data from the Autism Treatment Network (ATN) dataset for 2,576 children ages 6 to 18 years of age diagnosed with ASD. Multivariable logistic regression accounting for age, gender, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th Edition - Text Revision), diagnosis (Autistic Disorder, PDD-NOS, Asperger's Disorder), and parents' education did not show any racial or ethnic differences in behavioral challenges, conduct problems, or sleep disturbances for any of the groups, but Black children had lower odds of Total Problem Behaviors and Asian children had lower odds of Hyperactivity compared to White children. As a group, children from racial and ethnic minorities had lower odds of Total Problem Behaviors and Conduct Problems compared to White children. Hispanic children had lower odds of medication use for Behavioral Challenges, Total Problem Behaviors, Hyperactivity, and Conduct Problems. Asian children had lower odds of medication use for Behavioral Challenges, Total Problem Behaviors, and Hyperactivity; and had close to lower odds in medication use for Conduct Problems. Black children had lower odds for medication use for Total Problem Behaviors only. As a group, children from racial and ethnic minorities had lower odds for medication use for Behavioral Challenges, Total Problem Behaviors, Hyperactivity, and Conduct problems, but not for Sleep Disturbances. While these results are consistent with previous studies showing that White children are significantly more likely to receive psychotropic medication compared to children from racial and ethnic minority groups, we found no such differences for sleep challenges, suggesting that they are more consistently identified and equitably treated than other behavioral problems associated with ASD. We draw upon Andersen's (1995) Behavioral Model of Healthcare Use to suggest predisposing, enabling, and needs factors that may contribute to this pattern of racial and ethnic differences in the use of medications among children ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Quebles
- Irina Quebles, Olga Solomon, and Kathryn A. Smith, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California
| | - Olga Solomon
- Irina Quebles, Olga Solomon, and Kathryn A. Smith, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California
| | - Kathryn A Smith
- Irina Quebles, Olga Solomon, and Kathryn A. Smith, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California
| | - Sowmya R Rao
- Sowmya R. Rao and Frances Lu, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Frances Lu
- Sowmya R. Rao and Frances Lu, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Colleen Azen
- Colleen Azen, Grace Anaya, and Larry Yin, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California
| | - Grace Anaya
- Colleen Azen, Grace Anaya, and Larry Yin, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California
| | - Larry Yin
- Colleen Azen, Grace Anaya, and Larry Yin, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California
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Mallise CA, Lane AE, Woolard AJ, Whalen OM, Murphy VE, Karayanidis F, Campbell LE. The temperament features associated with autism spectrum disorder in childhood: A systematic review. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2020; 104:103711. [PMID: 32599501 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2020.103711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 03/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Temperament is an important construct that shapes child development. Temperament is suggested to present differently in different groups, such as children with neurodevelopmental disorders. However, it is not known whether there are specific temperament features associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). AIM This systematic review aimed to synthesise extant literature to determine whether there are temperament features associated with ASD in infancy, toddlerhood and childhood. METHODS AND PROCEDURES Following the PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews, we searched PsycINFO, CINAHL, Academic Search Ultimate and ProQuest for all available articles from database conception until January 2020. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal checklists were used to assess the methodological quality of included articles. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS Twenty-six articles met the selection criteria: (1) reported on the temperament of children (0-12 years of age) diagnosed with ASD, (2) peer-reviewed; and (3) published in English. Articles varied in overall methodological quality. Infants later diagnosed with ASD were found to more frequently be described as having 'easy' temperament features in early infancy, compared to typically developing infants and infants with developmental concerns but not ASD. Once diagnosed, children with ASD were reported to, as a group, display more negative affect, less extraversion and less effortful control than typically developing children. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The literature suggests that more challenging temperament features are associated with ASD in childhood, but less is known about within group variability. Overall, this review highlights the need for further investigation into the variability of temperament in children with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly A Mallise
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia; Priority Research Centre GrowUpWell®, University of Newcastle, Australia
| | - Alison E Lane
- Priority Research Centre GrowUpWell®, University of Newcastle, Australia; School of Health Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
| | - Alix J Woolard
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia; Priority Research Centre GrowUpWell®, University of Newcastle, Australia
| | - Olivia M Whalen
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia; Priority Research Centre GrowUpWell®, University of Newcastle, Australia
| | - Vanessa E Murphy
- Priority Research Centre GrowUpWell®, University of Newcastle, Australia; VIVA (Viruses, Infections/Immunity, Vaccines and Asthma) Research Group, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Australia
| | - Frini Karayanidis
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury, University of Newcastle, Australia
| | - Linda E Campbell
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia; Priority Research Centre GrowUpWell®, University of Newcastle, Australia.
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Nuske HJ, Pellecchia M, Kane C, Seidman M, Maddox BB, Freeman LM, Rump K, Reisinger EM, Xie M, Mandell DS. Self-Regulation is Bi-Directionally Associated with Cognitive Development in Children with Autism. JOURNAL OF APPLIED DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY 2020; 68:101139. [PMID: 34177028 PMCID: PMC8232541 DOI: 10.1016/j.appdev.2020.101139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Children with autism are at high risk for self-regulation difficulties because of language delays and emotion-regulation difficulties. In typically-developing children, language development helps promote self-regulation, and in turn, cognitive development. Little research has examined the association between self-regulation and cognitive-skill development in children with autism. Children with autism (5-8 years), who were minimally-verbal (n=38) or typically-verbal (n=46) participated in a structured cognitive assessment and were observed for self-regulation difficulties during the cognitive assessment at the beginning and end of an academic year. Results showed that children with autism who were minimally- compared to typically-verbal had more self-regulation difficulties. Increase in self-regulation difficulties predicted less cognitive-skill gains, regardless of verbal ability, and cognitive skill gains also predicted changes in self-regulation difficulties. Interventions targeting self-regulation may be appropriate for all children with autism and should be adapted for minimally-verbal children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather J. Nuske
- Penn Center for Mental Health, University of Pennsylvania, PA, USA
| | | | - Cary Kane
- Penn Center for Mental Health, University of Pennsylvania, PA, USA
| | - Max Seidman
- Penn Center for Mental Health, University of Pennsylvania, PA, USA
| | - Brenna B. Maddox
- Penn Center for Mental Health, University of Pennsylvania, PA, USA
| | | | - Keiran Rump
- Penn Center for Mental Health, University of Pennsylvania, PA, USA
| | | | - Ming Xie
- Penn Center for Mental Health, University of Pennsylvania, PA, USA
| | - David S. Mandell
- Penn Center for Mental Health, University of Pennsylvania, PA, USA
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Giannotti M, de Falco S, Venuti P. Alexithymia, Not Autism Spectrum Disorder, Predicts Perceived Attachment to Parents in School-Age Children. Front Psychol 2020; 11:332. [PMID: 32256425 PMCID: PMC7090142 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Alexithymia is defined as a limited ability in the cognitive processing of emotions. Literature suggested its negative influence on interpersonal relationship, documenting elevated alexithymia in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) compared to control groups. However, the study of alexithymia in school-age children with ASD remains largely unexplored as well as its effect on specific child socioemotional outcomes such as quality of attachment relationships. This study examines alexithymia and perceived attachment to parents in twenty-four children with ASD (without intellectual disability) and 24 typically developing (TD) children (mean age 10 years) using the self-reported Alexithymia Questionnaire for Children (AQC) and the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (IPPA). Measures of family SES as well as child intelligence were collected. Data revealed that ASD children showed higher levels of Alexithymia compared to TD group. In addition, 21% of participants with ASD exceed alexithymia categorical cut-off. By contrast, no difference emerged in the perception of attachment to parents. Moreover, alexithymia, but not ASD status, was found to predictive of child perception of attachment to parents. We observed no significant effect of child age and verbal IQ. Our findings showed that alexithymia was more common in children with ASD, whereas attachment was similar between groups. Difficulties in identifying and describing one's own feelings may hinder the construction of a positive representation of parent-child attachment relationship regardless of child clinical status. Thus, alexithymia seems to play a key role on the way school-age children with and without ASD perceive their relationship with their parents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Giannotti
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
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Martin KB, Haltigan JD, Ekas N, Prince EB, Messinger DS. Attachment security differs by later autism spectrum disorder: A prospective study. Dev Sci 2020; 23:e12953. [DOI: 10.1111/desc.12953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - John D. Haltigan
- Department of Psychiatry Centre for Addiction and Mental Health University of Toronto Toronto ON Canada
| | - Naomi Ekas
- Department of Psychology Texas Christian University Fort Worth TX USA
| | - Emily B. Prince
- Department of Psychology University of Miami Coral Gables FL USA
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Williams MD, Lascelles BDX. Early Neonatal Pain-A Review of Clinical and Experimental Implications on Painful Conditions Later in Life. Front Pediatr 2020; 8:30. [PMID: 32117835 PMCID: PMC7020755 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2020.00030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Modern health care has brought our society innumerable benefits but has also introduced the experience of pain very early in life. For example, it is now routine care for newborns to receive various injections or have blood drawn within 24 h of life. For infants who are sick or premature, the pain experiences inherent in the required medical care are frequent and often severe, with neonates requiring intensive care admission encountering approximately fourteen painful procedures daily in the hospital. Given that much of the world has seen a steady increase in preterm births for the last several decades, an ever-growing number of babies experience multiple painful events before even leaving the hospital. These noxious events occur during a critical period of neurodevelopment when the nervous system is very vulnerable due to immaturity and neuroplasticity. Here, we provide a narrative review of the literature pertaining to the idea that early life pain has significant long-term effects on neurosensory, cognition, behavior, pain processing, and health outcomes that persist into childhood and even adulthood. We refer to clinical and pre-clinical studies investigating how early life pain impacts acute pain later in life, focusing on animal model correlates that have been used to better understand this relationship. Current knowledge around the proposed underlying mechanisms responsible for the long-lasting consequences of neonatal pain, its neurobiological and behavioral effects, and its influence on later pain states are discussed. We conclude by highlighting that another important consequence of early life pain may be the impact it has on later chronic pain states-an area of research that has received little attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morika D. Williams
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
- Translational Research in Pain Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - B. Duncan X. Lascelles
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
- Translational Research in Pain Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
- Thurston Arthritis Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
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Li B, Bos MGN, Stockmann L, Rieffe C. Emotional functioning and the development of internalizing and externalizing problems in young boys with and without autism spectrum disorder. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2020; 24:200-210. [PMID: 31549858 PMCID: PMC6927076 DOI: 10.1177/1362361319874644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Children with autism spectrum disorder are at risk of developing internalizing and externalizing problems. However, information on early development of behavior problems and the contributing role of emotional functioning in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder is scarce. This study collected data of boys with and without autism spectrum disorder (N = 156; age: 2-6 years) over three consecutive years (three waves), about their internalizing and externalizing symptoms and emotional functioning (i.e. emotion control, recognition, and vocabulary), using parent-report questionnaires. No age effect was found on internalizing or externalizing problems for boys with and without autism spectrum disorder. Boys with autism spectrum disorder displayed more behavior problems than their typically developing peers and showed lower levels of emotional functioning. Better emotion control and improved emotion recognition were associated with a decrease in problem behaviors for boys with and without autism spectrum disorder, whereas improved emotion vocabulary was uniquely related to a decrease in externalizing problems in boys with autism spectrum disorder. Our findings suggest that boys with and without autism spectrum disorder showed similar developmental courses of internalizing and externalizing problems. However, lower levels of emotional functioning were already more pronounced in boys with autism spectrum disorder at a young age. This contributes to higher levels of behavior problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boya Li
- Leiden University, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke GN Bos
- Leiden University, The Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, The Netherlands
| | | | - Carolien Rieffe
- Leiden University, The Netherlands
- Foundation for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Child, The Netherlands
- University College London, UK
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Jansen R, Maljaars J, Verhappen A. Problem behavior in young children referred with language difficulties: Relations to language and intentional communication. AUTISM & DEVELOPMENTAL LANGUAGE IMPAIRMENTS 2020; 5:2396941519900076. [PMID: 36381553 PMCID: PMC9620458 DOI: 10.1177/2396941519900076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS This exploratory study aims to examine the relative contribution of language and intentional communication to internalizing and externalizing problem behavior. METHODS Twenty-nine Dutch-speaking children (age range 24-46 months) referred with language difficulties participated in this study. For the majority of children, these early language difficulties appeared to be part of a broader neurodevelopmental disorder, mainly autism spectrum disorder. Parent ratings on the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist 1½-5 were predicted from children's language level and intentional communicative abilities, the latter being assessed by both parent report and direct observation. In all series of hierarchical regression analyses, chronological age and nonverbal mental age were included as covariates. RESULTS Parents commonly reported withdrawal, emotionally reactive behavior, attention problems, and aggressive behavior. Parent-rated intentional communication was the most important predictor of internalizing problem behavior and played an important role in the prediction of aggressive behavior as well. However, chronological age and/or nonverbal mental age also predicted parent-rated levels of externalizing problem behavior, especially attention problems. CONCLUSIONS The relation between language difficulties and problem behavior may be influenced by maturation and children's ability to communicate intentionally.Implications: Language proficiency should, therefore, be independently assessed from children's intentional communicative abilities which, in turn, may differ across contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jarymke Maljaars
- Jarymke Maljaars, KU Leuven, Leopold
Vanderkelenstraat 32 box 3765, Leuven 3000, Belgium.
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Syu YC, Huang PC, Wang TY, Chang YC, Lin LY. Relationship Among Sensory Over-Responsivity, Problem Behaviors, and Anxiety in Emerging Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2020; 16:2181-2190. [PMID: 33061389 PMCID: PMC7522413 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s270308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite the highly prevailing rate of sensory over-responsivity, problem behaviors, and anxiety among emerging adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), little is known about the nature of their experiences. While previous studies have indicated potential relationships among these conditions, their connections still need to be clarified. This study aimed to examine the relationships between sensory over-responsivity, problem behaviors, and anxiety. METHODS Fifty-seven emerging adults with ASD (Mage = 21.4, SD = 2.5; males = 80.7%) were recruited. The Adult Sensory Profile - Chinese version, Problem Behavior Scale of Scales of Independent Behavior - Revised, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 - Chinese version (GAD-7) were used. RESULTS The percentage of emerging adults with ASD who scored more than most people in the two quadrants were sensation sensitivity = 33.3% and sensation avoiding = 26.3%. Approximately 66.7%, 27.5%, and 50.9% of participants had internalizing behaviors, externalizing behaviors, and asocial behaviors, respectively. Approximately, 64.9% of the participants scored on or above the cut-off score of 6 on the GAD-7. Sensation sensitivity and sensation avoiding were significantly correlated to problem behaviors; and anxiety was a mediating variable that accounts for the relationships between sensory over-responsivity and problem behaviors. CONCLUSION These results indicated that emerging adults with ASD showing problem behaviors might also report more exaggerated responses toward sensory inputs and experience more anxiety symptoms. The results indicate that sensory over-responsivity, problem behaviors, and anxiety may have common underlying mechanisms. Findings can be useful to understand the impacts of such difficulties for emerging adults with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Cing Syu
- Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Pai-Chuan Huang
- Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Tsui-Ying Wang
- Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Ching Chang
- Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ling-Yi Lin
- Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Institute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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